A fatal shooting in the early morning hours of July 30, 2022, in the parking lot of the Maple Gardens Apartments in Bridgeton, New Jersey, claimed the life of 36-year-old Herbert R. Lee Jr. A father of six, Lee intervened as a dispute among several people escalated; surveillance footage shows two men, later identified as Ryan Askins and Desmond L. Bethel, brandishing handguns and firing shots into the air. Lee engaged physically with Bethel while Askins reportedly tackled him and shot him in the chest. Lee was taken to Inspira Hospital in Bridgeton and died shortly after arrival.

Law enforcement identified Askins and Bethel as the primary suspects. Bethel was arrested soon after the shooting. Askins initially evaded capture; Millville police later spotted him and attempted a pursuit that reached speeds up to 80 miles per hour before officers terminated the chase for safety. A manhunt followed and a cash reward was offered. On January 21, 2023, U.S. Marshals, Georgia State Patrol and Clayton County Police located and took Ryan Askins into custody; Askins faces murder and weapons charges while Bethel was charged with weapons offenses.

Does anyone have information about the incident or knew Herbert Lee and can share details that might help complete the timeline?